PACIFIC CARRIER AVIATION GROUP BUILD

Greetings folks... Here is a small update.  The fuselage seams are cleaned up and the engine cowl is installed. There is a front ring to install yet but I will put that on after painting. This will allow me to install the engine after painting.  My main reason for doing this is so that I can use the engine mount as a holder during painting.

Below:  As mentioned earlier I plan to close the bomb bay for in-flight. This is a view without the bay doors.

Below:  This is a view with the bay doors on and loosely fit.  There will be a lot of sanding and fitting to make this look decent.  The model was not designed to have the doors closed.  I will post another image once this is done and with how it turns out.  

Hi Steve,

since this was the old 1970s Monogram kit there were some fit issues with the wings and the fuselage.  I also used the Eduard PE update kit on this build but eventually abandoned using some of the really tiny bits of etch (and some were lost to "battle damage" along the way).  The larger PE stuff made a huge improvement on things like the flaps and torpedo fins, while it also added some nice detail to the MG and cockpit.  I also replaced the canopy with a Squadron vacuum formed replacement.  It was my first ever attempt to use one of those (I racked up a lot of "firsts" on this build...) and I have mixed feelings about the job I did with it but on this build the kit parts are far too obviously over scale.

As for the finish, it is all acrylic, with Testors MM for the blue and gray on the exterior and all the rest Tamiya.  Compared to the Tamiya I am not at all impressed by the MM, as it is far more fragile as discussed here earlier.  Weathering was simply a wash, after a clear coat of Future, using Flory Models grime and the basic technique he demonstrates on his website.  It was a lot more subtle before I put on the Dullcote finish (if you got a little bit up thread you'll find the pre Dullcote shots of the upper and lower surfaces).  I think it looks a tad overdone now.

I remember building this kit in the yellow wings scheme back in the 70s and I did it far more justice this time around.  Of course I also spent a lot more time putting it together.

Hey Rob...thanks for sharing all that.  In reading about your build, I see a number of things in common.   Older kits with lots of fit issues, the PE, the paint, and your frustration about the canopies.  I agree about the over scale.  I can imagine that if we could scale up the canopies to real size, they would be 3 inches thick, if not more.  Down the road that is something I would really like to get a better handle on in building  something far closer to scale.  Right now it would seem vacuum form is the only solution for curved canopies.  I can imagine though that VF offers its own problems.  If you don't mind me asking.  What issues did you see with vacuum form?

Again....nice job!

Bak, you're making good progress, mate. Looking good!

Rob, that is a very nice looking Devastator. Nice work!

Thanks Greg!

I have not heard a YAY or a NAY on posting pictures of the before mentioned "Hellcats".  So I am guessing that the lack of an answer, is indeed my answer.  I am however starting a Tamiya 1:48 scale F4U-1, and I know I can finish that before the new deadline in March!  So I'll post those as progress permits, and I'll get in on this group build that way!!

Regards

Freddie from LI

SchattenSpartan

Freddie: Please do post some pictures of your Hellcats! I can't include the finished one on the front page because you built it outside this GB, but the unfinished one is a go!

Bakster

I can imagine though that VF offers its own problems.  If you don't mind me asking.  What issues did you see with vacuum form?

I had three problems with the vacuum canopies Steve. The first was cutting them out. That was a real hairy experience since one mistake can destroy the canopy. I didn't do as good job of getting nice clean cuts as I would have liked. Most likely that is an experience issue. But as a result of the cuts I made, the canopies didn't give a really snug fit to the airframe.

The second issue arose when I was masking the canopy frame. I found some of the details for the frame a bit "soft" and so it made it a little more difficult to mask them off. When I first tried to use Tamiya tape I couldn't really decide where I should cut the tape to make the masks. Fortunately the bare metal foil I switched to was so thin I could easily see where to scribe the masks (the BMF had another set of issues with the adhesive... sigh). The soft details could be a specific issue with this particular canopy, or it may be a general problem with vac formed canopies. I don't have enough experience with them to know.

Issue number three is that the plastic used in not as rigid as styrene, and this led to some "fit" issues when I was trying to attach the canopies. After separating the three sections for the rear of the canopy the different pieces did not retain their proper widths. The main canopy section pulled in too narrow and the last section of canopy splayed a bit too much out. Because of this, and the slow curing time of the clear parts cement it was very difficult to get the parts to conform to the width of the airframe while the glue was setting. In the end I switched to CA and tacked down the main canopy section with the two smaller pieces simply tucked inside. Again, it could just be a specific problem with this particular canopy since I had to section the single piece molded part into five separate pieces to create an open canopy.

One final comment on the vac formed canopy that I didn't really think about until the end was that I had to drill holes in the windshield to fit the torpedo sight on. That was another really hairy moment as I had visions of a slip of the drill or files scratching the canopy just at the end of the project!

By the way, if anyone has gotten to the end of this diatribe and has any solutions to my issues, I'd be happy to hear them.

Rob.... Holy Cow. As I read through your experience I was thinking yep, that makes total sense!    Now I know what I would be in for if I go that route. I think that most every issue you mentioned is an inherent problem with vacuum forms.  Just my opinion.  It just occurred to me that I once worked on a blasawood plane and it had a VF canopy.  I had an aweful time cutting it and in fact it looked terrible.  I suppose as a person gets adept at working with it, it might get easier. The one deal breaker for me though might be that the detail is soft.  I can see that being a byproduct of the vacuum form process. I guess that is a pros and cons thing.

Thanks a million for sharing your experiences on this build.  Hopefully others can weigh in on the vacuum forms.

Hey Freddie...welcome to the GB.  I am looking forward to seeing your progress.

Steve

Rob: Absolutely stunning job on your Devastator. That is some really great work. There is no way that I can tell that this only your second model. Looks like it was done by a seasoned veteran to me. Congratulations on finishing it for the GB. It's been a real pleasure to share a GB with you.

Steve: Excellent progress my friend. I'm quite sure that you be successful in whooping those bomb bay doors into shape. I also use EZ Line and it is indeed wonderful to use for aerials. This is good for me as I am a complete dork when it comes to stretching sprue.

I have a little experience with VF canopies myself. I will break down and use them only if the kit canopy is unacceptable or if the kit canopy does not offer an open option.With that said, like Rob, my issue is with cutting them out. It's difficult to cut them out perfectly so that they will fit on the first try. The other issue I have is that the material used to make is an absolute bugger to sand. It is some really tough stuff so it takes some hard core sanding to get it down to a good fit on the aircraft. But, I do like the fact they give you the option of a potentially better canopy.

Well, I have met with success! To a degree that is. I took a different approach to the fading this time around in that this time I used Tamiya medium blue thinned with iso alcohol. It seems to have worked well. I then gloss coated with Mr. Super Clear. It came out wonderfully:

After that had dried I then moved on to gloss coat the underside as I had not got that far when the first coat went south on me. I sprayed it on and as it dried BAM!

Yup, another issue with the orange peeling. Unbelievable!!!!!! So, the best I can figure is that both the Tamiya and Mr. Super Clear gloss coats do not react well over a glossy paint. I draw this conclusion only in that when I applied the Tamiya thinned blue it flattened the sheen on the upper wing. Purely conjecture on my part. Well, this time, considering the damage is not as extensive, I will attempt to sand it smooth and then repaint the white. Oh, and by the way, AAAAAAHHHHHH !!#$%&*!!!!!!!!!. I'm feeling much better now.

Rob - That's one sharp looking airplane.  Well done!

Joe and Steve - Nice forward progress.  You really have some nice clean lines Steve.

@Bakster, the Avenger is moving along nicely. Looks like it will be a chore to get those bomb bay doors closed. But, I know you will make it look exceptional.

@Joe Rix, sorry to hear the orange peel paint happened again. Really hoping you can get this figured out. 

@Freddie, looking forward to seeing pics of your Hellcat.

Well Joe I was almost ready to congratulate you on beating the orange peel, and then I read the second half of your post.  Quel dommage!  I hope that sanding fixes the issue.  You may be right about it being the gloss paints though.  I wonder if they are causing the gloss coat to bead up?  I'd be curious to know if hitting the gloss with Dullcote and then the gloss coat would solve that problem?  Perhaps a test run on a piece of scrap before putting the plane back under?

Thanks everyone for the encouragement!  I do appreciate it.

Wow Joe...not again.  Argh.  Your thinking about the gloss paint seems logical.  Man that is frustrating.  I hope you will be able to just sand that out.  

How's things comin' along guys.  I believe there are four of you still actively building planes.

Hi There Craig! I'm actually making some fair progress on my second round of gloss coat repair. I've managed to sand out the wrinkles and now I'm masking in order to respray some white. I'll then flatten the glossy paint prior to reapplying the gloss coat. I'm feeling encouraged.

Good to hear Joe.  Have you figured out the cause of your issues?

You know Craig, I haven't. Best I've got is merely speculation. So, rather than racking me wee brain I'm simply moving forward.

Heya Joe. The following excerpt from Scale Car Magazine deals with Tamiya clear out of the can but it's the only thing I can think of that's causing your paint issue in the fact that you have a curing rate problem or a chemical compatibility issue with them. Anyhow see if you can use this info pal.

Quote from Scale Car Magazine:

Hey Mustang...that might be the smoking gun on Tamiya clear.  

Joe...glad to hear you are able to recover the job without stripping it all.  That is good news.

Joe - Good read.  That's some good to know information.

JR- Keep on truckin'.

Thank you for sharing that info Joe. Definitely food for thought. What I find interesting about this article is that he is referring to using Tamiya Lacquer paints. My knowledge and experience with anything lacquer based is that they are fast drying and curing. i.e. Alclad and Tamiya, Testor's and Mr. Super Clear clear coats. I have never heard of having to allow anything lacquer based a month to fully cure. Interesting. This includes all the lacquer based products I work with and sell at my Ace Hardware Store.

Will do Sir.  Pictures are on the way!  and thank you for the go ahead.  I'll post the -3 first as she's the one that has been finished  The -5 and the corsair will be along shortly.  Thanks again!

Thanks for the approval!  I will post pics of both Hellcats, and the F4U, which is just started...

This is my Eduard, 1:48 scale F6F-3 "Hellcat".  I had built this one over the last few months, before I had any idea this group build was even here.  I had been off the website for awhile and I just popped on one day, after I had literally finished putting the antenna wire on, and found you folks!

Anyway, here she is, "White 7" , an F6F-3, from Fighting Sixteen, (VF-16) and flown from the deck of USS Lexington, (CV-16) by Cdr. Paul D. Buie.

That's a sharp looking Hellcat Freddie.  

Could you provide me with an explanation of how you created the weathering on the wings and the engine exhaust on the fuselage?

Thanks,

Rob

Okay, I think one will fit the criteria for this group build.  It's a Tamiya F4U-1, "Corsair" and as you can see, just the cockpit has the base color applied and the acrylic wash I made to darken the shadows.  Next up will be highlighting the base color by dry brushing all these parts with, first the base color, and then successively lighter shades of the base color.

I enjoyed building Eduard's '-3', "Hellcat" so much, that I started building a '-5' before I finished the first one.  I have a couple pictures, from the cockpit on out.  The seat belts are made from bits of paper, cut from the kit's instruction sheet.   

Here are a couple of the kit after painting...

And here are a few, with the decals in place, and after the flat coat has been applied...and there's NO SILVERING!!!  YAY!!

And there she is.  "White 99", an F6F-5, "Hellcat" flown by the CAG of Air Group Ninteen, Cdr. Hugh T. Winters, USS Lexington, (CV-16).  The aircraft is nicknamed, "Hanger Lilly"